The husband smiled gloomily, the wife gaily. The governor’s good-natured wife came up with a look of disapproval.

“Anna Ignátyevna wants to see you, Nicolas,” said she, pronouncing the name so that Nikoláy at once understood that Anna Ignátyevna was a very important person. “Come, Nicolas! You know you let me call you so?”

“Oh, yes, Aunt. Who is she?”

“Anna Ignátyevna Malvíntseva. She has heard from her niece how you rescued her.⁠ ⁠… Can you guess?”

“I rescued such a lot of them!” said Nikoláy.

“Her niece, Princess Bolkónskaya. She is here in Vorónezh with her aunt. Oho! How you blush. Why, are⁠ ⁠… ?”

“Not a bit! Please don’t, Aunt!”

“Very well, very well!⁠ ⁠… Oh, what a fellow you are!”